Building on the collaborative work between the University and the Ministry of Health (MOH), a professional group from the latter visited the Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC) in order to learn about the services provided by the Center, and how to utilize such services to achieve better healthcare. The MOH delegation included Eng. Ibraheim Atyiah, Director for Environmental Health, Dr Jawad Albitar, Director of the Infectious Diseases Department, Mr Ibraheim Salem, Director of the Central Laboratory, Mr Hashem Aljuos and Mr Ali Jahajha from the Central Laboratory; and Samer Sawalha, from the Pest Control Unit. From the university, attendees included Dr Ansam Sawalha, Director of PCDIC, Dr Waleed Sweileh, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Mr Saed Zyoud, Information Specialist.
To start the tour, Dr Sawalha gave a briefing on the PCDIC in general, how it functions and the services it offers. She mentioned that PCDIC is a professional center offering services and consultations to the local community, as well as to professionals at health institutions. The Center provides up-to-date information on intoxication management and deals with drug-related enquiries around the clock and free of charge. Dr Sawalha also informed the MOH delegation that the PCDIC conducted a study of antidote stocks at Palestinian hospitals, and found that most hospitals lack many of the antidotes to treat incidents of poisoning.
Dr Sweileh then gave a briefing on other facilities at the University, such as the Forensic Medicine Department, the Genetics Lab, and the Biological, Chemical and Drug Analysis Center. Dr Sweileh indicated the possibility of exploring different aspects of cooperation between the university and the MOH, extending from the agreement that the University signed with the MOH few years ago.
In turn, the MOH delegations gave briefings about their departments and the services available. They also talked about the importance of working closely together in order to raise the quality of services and healthcare.
The tour concluded with a visit to the PCDIC, the Genetics Lab, and the Forensic Medicine Department. The visitors were all impressed by the rapid development and the degree of advancement that was obvious at the University facilities.